At least 30 journalists currently are reported missing while covering Syria's civil war. The widespread abduction of journalists is unprecedented. Many have gone unreported in hope that keeping the kidnappings out of public view may help to negotiate the captives' release.
Here is a look at the 10 international journalists identified by their news organisations or families as currently missing or being held hostage in Syria:
- Bashar Al Kadumi: A Jordanian national of Palestinian origin. Al Kadumi works for U.S.-based satellite television news channel Al-Hurra. He was kidnapped August 20 after crossing into Syria from Turkey.
- Edouard Elias and Didier Francois: French nationals. Both were reporting for French radio station Europe1. They were kidnapped June 6 as they were heading to the northern city of Aleppo from Syria's border with Turkey.
- James Foley: American. Foley was last seen November 22 in northwestern Syria, where he was contributing videos to Agence France-Presse and the media company GlobalPost.